A lovely site greeted us this morning - LAND! Maribeth was awake early, watching as we docked. While any land would probably looked wonderful, Tenerife was absolutely beautiful. The mountains with the clouds, the houses, and port were lovely. We all got ready, had a bite for breakfast, then gathered with our shipmates in Diversions for our excursion.

We booked the Puerto De La Cruse and Ortava Valley tour, Bus #8, to be exact. As we exited the ship, we were greeted by a local folk dancing group and their guitarist. The ladies were given a flower and the men were given a cap. We all boarded Bus #8 with Anna, our tour guide, and were off.

We rode higher and higher into the mountains, and stopped at our first stop, The Orchid Gardens. Here we toured the gardens, admired the fish and the birds, ate a snack, and got back on the bus.

Our second stop was at Puerto de la Cruz, the oceanside resort area. We stopped at McDonald’s, and were given an hour to tour the area. We looked at the black sandy beaches, the strong waves with powerful undercurrent, and the shopped in the typical tourist shops (where Molly was shopping for the best nekkid postcard - but there were just too many to choose from). We boarded the bus, ready for our final stop … until our Disney rep realized we were not all there (although technically, that involved a few other excursion mates, or as Molly observed, “There ought to be an IQ test for going on an excursion.”). So, we waited another ten minutes for the stragglers to arrive.

Our bus driver took us higher up the mountains, in a big bus on a tiny, very curvy road, with no guard rails, until we reached Humbolt Overlook (there’s a reason for the name, but I forgot it - this is a blog, not a history lesson). There we were in competition with a group of Japanese tourists jockeying for the best photograph positions. We won. After several thousand photos were snapped, we ALL boarded the bus for the trip back to the ship. We got off the bus, back on the ship, headed straight for Goofy’s Gallery for some quick eats. With all this activity, of course it was time for - you guessed it - NAPS!!

It wasn’t too long until our afternoon concierge treat arrived - the absolute best ever for one of us, the treat being (drum roll, please) - you guessed it - a two-tiered tray of CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES!!! At least, that’s what I thought was - it disappeared in two minutes.

Molly and I started watching “The Holiday” on the Disney movie channel. It was great, until it stopped halfway through the movie, and the movie schedule started showing. We were confused. Are we supposed to make up our own ending for the movie? We hope to watch it again. And hope we get to see all of it this time.

Soon it was time for dinner, which Molly passed on, because she had perused the menus at Lumiere’s, and decided it was not to be for her, except for a dessert or two. Maribeth and I went to dinner, and explained Molly’s absence to Octavian and Ranzil, whose sadness was only lifted by the fabulous Tenerife pens we got for them at the super-fabulous souvenir shop we visited (where the clerk rang up our many purchases while running a rapid-fire conversation with a couple either looking for directions, trying to buy a car, or asking why Mickey Mouse was in town - since I don’t speak Spanish, I really couldn’t figure it out). But I digress. Maribeth and I had a great dinner, and took two desserts to Molly.

Molly told us that Kumi, Connie, and Hilda had been by, and she had given them the hankies we had also picked up at the Blabbermouth Souvenir Shoppe. She reenacted their reactions - it was quite gratifying.

We all went to find our latest attempts at photos in Shutters. We found one that was horrible, and decided to get it. Of course, I had to have mine with Donald, as it seemed to be fate that it reappeared. We then went out on Deck Four to watch our departure from Tenerife, or land (tomorrow is another sea day), and Molly ran into her Rainforest Room/Disboard friends. I got to meet them, and we all discussed our land day.

Tonight’s show is “Boys II Men.” Curiously, no one in Stateroom 8078 is interested in going. One of us is too old, and the other two are too young. Instead we are going to make up endings for “The Holiday” and reminisce about what the chocolate strawberries must have looked like, had they been around long enough for anyone but Molly to see.

Well, I guess that’s all for today. Two of our plans for this trip were (1) to bring our scrapbook stuff and do a page a day instead of hauling it all home and trying to recreate fourteen days, and (2) do our blog. Each task had it’s chairwoman, Scrappy Maribeth and Bloggy Molly. Tonight both flaked out on their jobs, so I have had to do both. Needless to say, I think they will both be back on point tomorrow, once they see my efforts. I enjoyed my time with you - Have A Disney Day!!

Your blog is great! I followed the link over from Deb Will's blog and I admire how you've been able to keep it up everyday. I keep trying to do something like this when I go on trips, but usually fail after the first few days. Are you writing it online? Or do you use a program to write it offline first?

We have been enjoying your blog on your adventure to Europe. Lots of time at sea, but you have managed to keep your sense of humor and have fun. We will be boarding The Magic for her 3rd cruise around the Mediterranean. Keep us posted with tips for our travels....especially when you get to Barcelona. Send your recommendations on things to do, as we will have a couple of days before the cruise to tour.Enjoy your time in Spain. You have had lots of practice with the siestas!